Aussie act aims for home grown support
In what has been a frustrating and endless wait since it’s overseas release date back in October 2005, Australian (Melbourne) based act The Eternal have finally secured a distributor for their sophomore effort Sleep Of Reason nationally, and I can honestly say the wait has been well worth it. Following up the critical acclaim that was lauded upon their debut outing The Sombre Light Of Isolation back in 2004 was no doubt a daunting task for the band (Who’s line up now features vocalist/guitarist Mark Kelson, new guitarist Lincoln Bowen, bassist James Hunt, keyboardist Chris Stevenson and new drummer Marty O’Shea), but The Eternal have not only managed to succeed in avoid the dreaded sophomore curse, but also diversified their sound beyond the strict doom confines to incorporate stronger melodic structures, along with elements of gothic rock and its associated atmospherics.
After the two minute long metallic doom sounding introduction piece Awaken, Arise, The Eternal quickly change direction towards more latter day Paradise Lost with the mid paced Everlasting. Kelson’s vocals deep vocalised verses counteract nicely with the higher ranged chorus, while the minimalist approach to the track’s overall structure ensures a certain catchiness, and sure to win a whole new set of followers in the process. To Drown returns more towards latter day My Dying Bride territory (If a little more progressive instrumentation wise) with its heavier sound and lumbering pace, while a hint of Dead Soul Tribe can be heard in part on the dramatic A Soul Undone.
Female vocalist Ainslie Wills, who appeared on The Eternal’s debut on a few select tracks, returns once again to duet with Kelson on the sweeping/melancholy Hollow Inside (Not to mention help out more on the ballad like The Dying Light), while In My Skin, the instrumental title track Sleep Of Reason and A Dream’s End drop almost all of the band’s old doom aspects for a more melodic sound that drifts somewhere between HIM, latter day Sentenced and Amorphis. Returning full circle, The Eternal once again delve into far more doom inspired sounds with Beneath The Soil and the mammoth twelve-minute middle eastern influenced epic Weight Of Empathy to finish off the album.
Even though The Eternal may turn away some fans who enjoyed the overall doom feel of their debut with the introduction of gothic/rock influences, it’s safe to say that the band are sure to impress a far greater number with their penchant for stretching beyond what most fans preconceived expectations are of their second effort. Everything from the diversity of styles on offer, the better sounding production (Once again handled by Black Majesty/Vanishing Point guitarist Endel Rivers) to the stunning cover artwork/package (Created by none other than Travis Smith) only reinforces The Eternal’s position as one of Australia’s more talented (But sadly overlooked nationally) exports in recent years.
(Firebox Records/Modern Invasion Music)
